Mucky Tundra
10 years ago

Out with the old. In with the new. It’s a harsh reality in several walks of life. Perhaps nowhere is it more evident than the National Football League.

JSOnline  wrote:


Under Construction!
nerdmann
10 years ago

"Ultimately, defense goes back to attitude, desire and pursuit," nose tackle B.J. Raji said.



Then there's this:

If the Packers are to take a jump against the run, Raji figures to be instrumental. Drafted as a run-stuffing nose tackle back in 2009, he filled that roll with aplomb early in his career.



So, BJ was drafted as a run stuffer!?
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
OlHoss1884
10 years ago
Short anser, yes. With the switch to a 3-4, a big guy to anchor the middle was needed and he was the highest rated for that role from his days at BC. I think he was expected to push the pocket up the middle as well, as he was that highly touted, but the basic role for which he was drafted was to absorb blockers and stuff the run, as with any NT.

Overall, the number of times we've had guys playing out of position because of injuries or ineffectiveness has hurt the performances of others around them, and it's made the whole defense appear as if it's trying to avoid a mistake instead of aggressively punishing people.

Now that I think we've covered any glaring needs on that side of the ball, a season of reasonable health should make this one of the better defenses in the league. (I am thinking rating 10-15).


"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits" --Albert Einstein
DakotaT
10 years ago

Short anser, yes. With the switch to a 3-4, a big guy to anchor the middle was needed and he was the highest rated for that role from his days at BC. I think he was expected to push the pocket up the middle as well, as he was that highly touted, but the basic role for which he was drafted was to absorb blockers and stuff the run, as with any NT.

Overall, the number of times we've had guys playing out of position because of injuries or ineffectiveness has hurt the performances of others around them, and it's made the whole defense appear as if it's trying to avoid a mistake instead of aggressively punishing people.

Now that I think we've covered any glaring needs on that side of the ball, a season of reasonable health should make this one of the better defenses in the league. (I am thinking rating 10-15).

Originally Posted by: OlHoss1884 



If you are correct, that should be enough to win the Super Bowl, given our high powered offense and good kicking game.

UserPostedImage
beast
10 years ago

So, BJ was drafted as a run stuffer!?

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 



Short anser, yes. With the switch to a 3-4, a big guy to anchor the middle was needed and he was the highest rated for that role from his days at BC. I think he was expected to push the pocket up the middle as well, as he was that highly touted, but the basic role for which he was drafted was to absorb blockers and stuff the run, as with any NT.

Originally Posted by: OlHoss1884 



After thinking it over, I think the answer is yes... I believe Raji was drafted as an explosive NT that would be hard for OL to keep up with like he was in college.

That being said, I don't believe Raji was drafted as a run clogger to clog the OL, which they've been asked to do the last two years switching to the more traditional (conservative) 3-4 system, where I do believe Pickett was the better fit for NT in that system (and don't think Raji's style of play fit in it at any position other than 2-4 nickel rush DT).


That being said, I believe Boston College ran both the 3-4 and 4-3 system while Raji was in college, and Raji would play an aggressive 3-4 DE (like Cullen Jenkins did (different styles)) and Ron Brace (who plays a lot like Pickett did (but Pickett was much better/longer) played the NT role. And I think Raji played 3-4 DE some his first year... and the basically aftermath of that was... his arms/length isn't long enough to pass rush from out there and handle being further out and having to deal with the talent/size/length of NFL OTs.

So it's possible the Packers thought Raji might be able to play at 3-4 DE as well before his rookie year... but the general thinking is he was drafted to play NT (because he's NT size).


"Ultimately, defense goes back to attitude, desire and pursuit," nose tackle B.J. Raji said.



Watching Raji the last couple of years... I think Raji has very limited desire/attitude to run clog... so it might be very good that the Packers are rumored to be switching systems and getting away from the system with so much run clogging... of course he's going to be asked to play NT, which normally the position that gets asked to do it the most, so he could still be asked to do it (maybe).

And of course, Raji has a down year before they even switched to the run clogging system... after the Super Bowl year he didn't seem the same either... but they maybe could of had something to do with losing Nick Collins and Cullen Jenkins, as well as Tramon Williams and Woodson not being the same as the year before... Williams had that shoulder injury which he wasn't the same for a couple year... and Woodson seemed to lose a step that season.
UserPostedImage
nerdmann
10 years ago
Raji's always been more of a penetrator, imo.

Oh yeah, that article also had a quote about how Datone is a "prototype" 3-4 DE, because he's 285 lbs. lol
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
beast
10 years ago

Raji's always been more of a penetrator, imo.

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 



I COMPLETELY agree with that... but that being said penetrators can be run stuffers as well, as they penetrator to the run and make the tackle. Which is why I sort of debated the phasing ... because when I first read, "run stuffer" when talking about the NT, I thought run clogger, and Raji is no run clogger.

He's CLEARLY a penetrator... but you can still be a run stuffer and penetrator. So it's not technically wrong... but did seem wrong when I first read it, which is why I think you also questioned it in the first place.
UserPostedImage
steveishere
10 years ago

I COMPLETELY agree with that... but that being said penetrators can be run stuffers as well, as they penetrator to the run and make the tackle. Which is why I sort of debated the phasing ... because when I first read, "run stuffer" when talking about the NT, I thought run clogger, and Raji is no run clogger.

He's CLEARLY a penetrator... but you can still be a run stuffer and penetrator. So it's not technically wrong... but did seem wrong when I first read it, which is why I think you also questioned it in the first place.

Originally Posted by: beast 



Yeah, JJ Watt is a good example of this. He's always attacking but he stops runs just as much as he gets after QBs because of it.
steveishere
10 years ago

Raji's always been more of a penetrator, imo.

Oh yeah, that article also had a quote about how Datone is a "prototype" 3-4 DE, because he's 285 lbs. lol

Originally Posted by: nerdmann 



You left out the most important half of the quote which was the part that he's 6'4". The weight isn't as important as the length to be a "prototype". It's so funny to you yet look at the top players at that position like JJ Watt, Calais Campbell, Cameron Jordan, Justin Smith. They are all longer and lighter players like Datone.

I don't think Datone was even 285 last year though he looked leaner as the year went on and was probably more like 270 ish which if you aren't monster strong like Justin Smith is probably too light. If he's 285-290 and can keep that weight over the season he'll be fine.
nerdmann
10 years ago

You left out the most important half of the quote which was the part that he's 6'4". The weight isn't as important as the length to be a "prototype". It's so funny to you yet look at the top players at that position like JJ Watt, Calais Campbell, Cameron Jordan, Justin Smith. They are all longer and lighter players like Datone.

I don't think Datone was even 285 last year though he looked leaner as the year went on and was probably more like 270 ish which if you aren't monster strong like Justin Smith is probably too light. If he's 285-290 and can keep that weight over the season he'll be fine.

Originally Posted by: steveishere 



I'd like to see him at least 290. If he can get it done like like one of the top for people at his position in the league, then that's great. He has yet to prove that. I would think it would help him to add a little.
“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”
Fan Shout
Mucky Tundra (6h) : One person on Twitter=cannon law
Zero2Cool (14h) : Well, to ONE person on Tweeter
Zero2Cool (14h) : According to Tweeter
Zero2Cool (14h) : Packers are working on extension for LT Walker they hope to have done before camp
dfosterf (18-Jun) : E4B landed at Andrews last night
dfosterf (18-Jun) : 101 in a 60
dfosterf (18-Jun) : FAFO
Zero2Cool (18-Jun) : one year $4m with incentives to make it up to $6m
dfosterf (18-Jun) : Or Lions
dfosterf (18-Jun) : Beats the hell out of a Vikings signing
Zero2Cool (18-Jun) : Baltimore Ravens now have signed former Packers CB Jaire Alexander.
dfosterf (14-Jun) : TWO magnificent strikes for touchdowns. Lose the pennstate semigeezer non nfl backup
dfosterf (14-Jun) : There was minicamp Thursday. My man Taylor Engersma threw
dfosterf (11-Jun) : There will be a mini camp practice Thursday.
Zero2Cool (11-Jun) : He's been sporting a ring for a while now. It's probably Madonna.
Martha Careful (10-Jun) : We only do the tea before whoopee, it relaxes me.
wpr (10-Jun) : That's awesome Martha.
Mucky Tundra (10-Jun) : How's the ayahuasca tea he makes, Martha?
Martha Careful (10-Jun) : Turns out he like older women
Martha Careful (10-Jun) : I wasn't supposed to say anything, but yes the word is out and we are happy 😂😂😂
Mucky Tundra (10-Jun) : I might be late on this but Aaron Rodgers is now married
Mucky Tundra (10-Jun) : Well he can always ask his brother for pointers
Zero2Cool (10-Jun) : Bo Melton taking some reps at CB as well as WR
Zero2Cool (10-Jun) : key transactions coming today at 3pm that will consume more cap in 2025
Zero2Cool (9-Jun) : Jaire played in just 34 of a possible 68 games since the start of the 2021 season
Zero2Cool (9-Jun) : reported, but not expected to practice
Zero2Cool (9-Jun) : Jenkins has REPORTED for mandatory camp
Zero2Cool (9-Jun) : I really thought he'd play for Packers.
buckeyepackfan (9-Jun) : Packers releasing Jaire Alexander.
Mucky Tundra (8-Jun) : (Context: he wants his defense to create turnovers)
Mucky Tundra (8-Jun) : Giants DC Shane Bowen tells players to “be a damn pirate."
dfosterf (6-Jun) : Semper fi !
Cheesey (6-Jun) : This is why I have so much respect for those that have gone through battles
Cheesey (6-Jun) : I can't even imagine what that would have been like
wpr (6-Jun) : "Come on, you sons of bitches. Do you want to live forever?"
wpr (6-Jun) : Facing a line of machine guns 2 time medal of Honor recipient, First Sergeant Dan Daly told his men,
wpr (6-Jun) : Another detachment went into the Belleau Wood.
wpr (6-Jun) : On the 6th the Marines took Hill 142 but suffered terrible losses.
wpr (6-Jun) : It’s time to remember dfoster’s Marine brothers in Belleau Wood. The battle went on from June 1-26. Nearly 10,000 casualties.
packerfanoutwest (6-Jun) : Nick Collins and Morgan Burnett have signed with the PACK
packerfanoutwest (6-Jun) : he won't be wearing #12, maybe he will wear number two
packerfanoutwest (6-Jun) : He will fail this season, should have retired
Mucky Tundra (5-Jun) : Thus the cycle of Hall of Fame Packer QBs going to the Jets and then the Vikings is broken
bboystyle (5-Jun) : Rodgers to steelers on 1 year contract
Zero2Cool (5-Jun) : It's the cycle of civilizations. Get lazier, lazier, softer, softer and vanish.
Martha Careful (5-Jun) : great point. every aspect of society, including art, culture and sports has degraded.
dfosterf (4-Jun) : Green Bay sweep meant something to society about stopping pure excellence. We have the tush push now
dfosterf (4-Jun) : We old Martha.
Martha Careful (4-Jun) : *front four
Martha Careful (4-Jun) : Re frout four, I wish we had some Green "People Eaters" or a fearsome foursome
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2025 Packers Schedule
Sunday, Sep 7 @ 3:25 PM
LIONS
Thursday, Sep 11 @ 7:15 PM
COMMANDERS
Sunday, Sep 21 @ 12:00 PM
Browns
Sunday, Sep 28 @ 7:20 PM
Cowboys
Sunday, Oct 12 @ 3:25 PM
BENGALS
Sunday, Oct 19 @ 3:25 PM
Cardinals
Sunday, Oct 26 @ 7:20 PM
Steelers
Sunday, Nov 2 @ 12:00 PM
PANTHERS
Monday, Nov 10 @ 7:15 PM
EAGLES
Sunday, Nov 16 @ 12:00 PM
Giants
Sunday, Nov 23 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Thursday, Nov 27 @ 12:00 PM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 7 @ 12:00 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Dec 14 @ 3:25 PM
Broncos
Friday, Dec 19 @ 11:00 PM
Bears
Friday, Dec 26 @ 11:00 PM
RAVENS
Saturday, Jan 3 @ 11:00 PM
Vikings
Recent Topics
3h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

18-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

18-Jun / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

16-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

15-Jun / Random Babble / Martha Careful

14-Jun / Around The NFL / beast

14-Jun / Community Welcome! / dfosterf

13-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

13-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / Adam

12-Jun / Random Babble / Martha Careful

12-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

12-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

12-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

11-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

10-Jun / Green Bay Packers Talk / Martha Careful

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.